There are rumors around the Battle Subway. There always have been. Speculations of Ingo and Emmet’s perfect synchronization, that the regional champion has been a frequent face, how the Subway’s caverns were built by an ancient kingdom. They were a bit of fun to pass between passengers awaiting a battle.
That was before the third Subway Master arrived.
Some say he had never seen a train before he suddenly appeared. Others argue the way he glares at the cars is a simple dislike for the constant motion. The contradictions satisfy no one. All agree, though, that the way he appeared from thin air one day, already matching the twins’ every train analogy, already having earned the full support of their two-car train, was uncanny.
There have been whispers that he bewitched the Subway Masters somehow. He certainly had worked their way into their clockwork dynamic, how else could he have done it? Though those theories fade slowly away. His team is omnipresent beside him - a minccino on his shoulder sometimes dethroned by a rufflet, and a fraxure by his side - and none of them can learn hypnosis. The passengers have checked.
Some say that they saw him as a passenger months before his first appearance. He talked of trains as if they were steel-types waiting to consume them all. He spoke of cellphones as if he couldn’t fathom their existence. He rambled on and on to his minccino about a world he did not understand. No one knew if it was true, but most believed it.
The subway caverns were built by an ancient kingdom, it was said. One that stood for truth and ideals, the very same concepts the subway master blathered on about. One that could explain the odd traditions they’ve seen aboard the train that belong to no known region. One that could have stood firm with someone who could command respect as he did. There was no way to prove it, but stranger things happen underground than a haunting.
There is a blackout on the train one day. A passenger has gone to battle. When they return, they are distraught. They ramble on about how they had insulted Emmet in the heat of battle, how Ingo came to his defense, and how the third appeared at the doorway once the brothers departed for the breaker room. They say they did not understand what language he was speaking. They say, in his quiet rage, his eyes glowed red like a yamask in the night.
There is silence, then sparse, nervous laughter that dies quickly. Another rumor to be spread aboard. And yet, in the days that follow, no one mentions the tale again.
The rumors of the Battle Subway are spoken in hushed tones. They strain to be heard over the heat of battle, the enthusiasm of the conductors, and the clipped demands of their third beyond the holding carts. They sometimes delve into the oddities of the twins, but more often speculate on the newest addition. Whispers say that he is a ghost from another time. Most will scoff, perhaps voice the absurdity of the notion, but all notice when he wanders through their car with that faraway look in his eye. All respect him when he blinks, glares, and snaps calmly at their scrutiny before departing. All want someone to follow him as he disappears into the shadows of the next car. No one does.
felt like redrawing this panel bc these two live rent-free in my mind oughhhh
The art before Emmet is impressive. Painted on clay slabs that stretch from the museum’s floor to ceiling. The colors have faded with age, but are still brilliant - electric blue highlights running across figures in white and black. Twins, he supposed, like the legendary dragons that curled fiercely around them.
If he were not Emmet, he is sure he would stop and stare a while. It was very striking, he had to admit. But he is Emmet, so instead he does not bother to read the museum label and wanders away.
He is verrrry bored. But Ingo is not, and the air conditioning feels wonderful, so he will not complain.
A broken charm sits behind glass, shining with purple gemstones. Emmet doesn’t know what it is supposed to resemble. Maybe it wasn’t meant to resemble anything. Maybe this kingdom had lots of silly ideas, beginning with building their capital in the heart of a desert. That should have been thought through.
This was their first day off in years and they wasted most of it trekking through dunes! In the heat! It was very very hot! Of all the places Ingo could have wanted to go, of course he chose the hardest station to arrive at. It had given Archeops the extra taste of battle he had been wanting though, and Emmet too.
No, he supposed it wasn’t all bad after all. He got to enjoy the journey, now it was time for the destination.
“EMMET!”
Immediately, said subway boss perks up and turns towards his brother’s booming voice. He enjoys the way his walk parts the crowd as he arrives at Ingo’s station. Emmet leans just far enough into his personal space to be noticeable. Ingo only glares. With such a subtle reaction, he must be distracted.
There is a portrait in front of them. There is a sizable group of people in blacks and whites. A few are speckled with red. Those details quickly fade into the background as his eyes catch on one in particular.
This one’s pale skin is sunburnt. His smile is half hidden by the collar of his coat. Even then, Emmet can see that it’s strained. His coat is striped, red and white. His sideburns are just like theirs. His everything is very much like them. Very, very, very much like them.
They observe in silence as the minutes pass. “Well,” Ingo eventually starts, “I suppose Elesa is right to call our coats old-fashioned.”
A chuckle escapes Emmet before he can stop it. Ingo’s eyes crinkle in that smiling way of his and whatever moment stretched on between them and the painting is broken.
“Nonsense, now we can say they’re traditional! She can’t argue against a track that stands the test of time!” Ingo gives him a look. “Alright, maybe she can.”
They chuckle, chatter on, and continue to their next station. Before they depart, Emmet pauses. He steals a glance at the portrait’s label.
Relic Castle, year unknown. Several religious acolytes are pictured alongside regents Rigus and Laurel during preparations for annual Volcarona-honoring festivities. The reason for a notoriously closed society to allow an apparent outsider to participate in religious preparations remains unknown.
By the time the subway masters leave the museum, the portrait is long forgotten.
I was looking at your vids and saw that one with Skyfire in- Is there a full ref for that design that you’ve drawn? It’s very good!
!!! A i dont have a full ref but i do have another doodle!
thank you so much !!
Emmet using a laser pointer to command an alarmingly large quantity of joltiks to swarm someone littering in the subway
There is nowhere to run
Edit: the last panel got a rework xD (link)
HOWDY'S HOLIDAY HULLABALOO!
Here it is, the enemies to lovers fic these absolute disasters require!
Fr, @tikiirishy and @determunition’s doodles kinda sold me on these guys
Rest in my arms.
close call.
On the morning of November 26th, while walking the dog, I was struck by a vision of this project, and so, fueled by nothing but Skystar hyperfixation, me and @yasbeych have made a thing!! They made and sung the song, and I wrote the lyrics and drew/edited the video.
Once again, thank you so much for doing this with me, Rito! Your song is perfect! And your feedback fueled me to keep going!
I still can't believe we made this in less than 4 days.
Lyrics under the cut.
“He had it coming”
“Good riddance”
It’s all everyone seems to say about me after I’ve died
But standing in the corner, your tall figure
Is the only one who cared about me enough to cry
If it serves as any consolation
I liked you the best too
Even if we didn’t talk much after that
Only exchanging gazes from afar
I always cherished the memories we shared before we fell apart
I’m guessing you did too
I saw the face you made when they told you I had died
Always known as a coward
An intrinsic part of my nature they’d say
I guess I do regret one thing from it,
If it wasn’t already obvious
I should have told you about my feelings while I was alive
It’s almost funny, isn’t it?
I circled half the globe searching for you
And I was never truly over your loss
Once I had to give up
Now that the roles are reversed,
Will it be the same for you too?
My voice is calm for once
Even if you can’t hear me,
I wish you the best
I can’t come up with something more clever right now
Don’t miss me too much
Though it’s nice to know that someone does.
Just obsessing and trying to not to panic at posting any of my work. New all-consuming fandom interests featured every month or two probably. Thanks for stopping by! CURRENT OBSESSION: Transformers
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